July 10, 2018 4:56am EDTJuly 9, 2018 8:36am EDTThe England goalkeeper used his receptacle to note down exactly where he thought Colombia's penalties would go and likely do the same versus Croatia(Getty Images)

Goal

Published on Jul. 9, 2018 | Updated on Jul. 10, 2018

Jul. 9, 2018

If England versus Croatia goes to a penalty shootout, the Three Lions will certainly be in safe hands with Everton’s Jordan Pickford between the sticks.

The 24-year-old has been the standout performer for Gareth Southgate’s side this summer, making a string of wonder saves against Sweden to secure their place in the final four as well as saving a crucial penalty in the nail-biting shootout win over Colombia.

With both of Croatia’s knockout games heading to the spot already, there’s a high probability that Wednesday’s semi-final could go the distance, but England need not fear because Pickford has a plan.

Pictured against Colombia with a Powerade bottle inscribed with instructions of each penalty taker he faced, Pickford knew where every penalty was likely to go and successfully saving the crucial kick from Carlos Bacca from 12-yards.

The shotstopper himself witnessed a similar ruse last summer during the European Under-21s semi-final defeat to Germany, when opposite number Julian Pollersbeck pulled a document from his sock outlining where the England players were likely to go.

Having taken a whopping 11 penalties since the start of the tournament, the England camp will no doubt have been keeping a close eye out and could just be another Powerade bottle from a first World Cup final in 52 years.